Monday, May 26, 2008

Back Door Bargain

After a warm sunny Sunday..it was hot on the football pitch(the round-ball version)...poached Salmon for the evening meal.... and a perfect match is any Pinot Noir...this marriage convinces even the most stubborn folk about red wine and fish. Actually..I could drink Pinot with anything..but we won't go there. There are ways and means on how to obtain wines...and sometimes you end up getting something via the back door..so to speak. While at 'Rebstock' I had planned the week's wines..and a 'reserve choice' was this wine from Männle. I had read that it was under the top 10 Spätburgunder wines from Baden..for the 2005 vintage...confirmation is on the bottle neck. It was on the list at Euros 29,-- but was not really gonna get drunk this time round as the days ran out. We visited the vineyard..but all that was on offer was the new 2007... not in barrique this one...it cost Euros 11,--. On the day we left Rebstock I decided to purchase the 2005 from the wine-list and said that they should add it to my bill..which I paid...and only later saw that they had charged Euros 11,--....probably what they paid for it 2 years ago. Thank you guys! Was it a bargain at the back door?

Andreas Männle Durbacher Bienengarten
Spätburgunder
Spätlese trocken Barrique 2005
Baden, Germany

Medium deep, gradual colour..no light rim paleness here...bouquet was muted at first..then opened up to show thick compact strawberries....real power package...then after 30 minutes it was like someone had left the door open..an extra freshness appeared..like fresh air..became more elegant. On the palate..delicious up-front fruit..again the stawberry layers...integrated soft tannins..some liquorice flavour..slighty spicy..touch of oak(12 months in barrique)..but only hovering...not attacking...all-in-all..a quite complex wine..elegant and firm....and should develope very well. Next time at Rebstock....

Points 17.75

Feinschmecker..a top German magazine..issue a pocket book of German Growers every year....very helpful when travelling....they mark the vineyards with F's..the highest marking is 5 F's....this grower only gets one...methinks they need to check their palates with this vineyard.

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